First Cape Breton high school hockey tournament kicks off next week

NORTH SYDNEY — High school hockey is alive and well in Cape Breton.

The old forums in Sydney, Glace Bay and North Sydney may now be history but the old-time rivalries that once played out in the historic venues will be renewed when Cape Breton’s first high school hockey tournament of the season kicks off next week.

The current editions of teams representing Memorial, Sydney Academy, Glace Bay and Riverview will all feature in the 2014 Memorial Marauders Mae Kibyuk Green and Gold Hockey Tournament, Nov. 6-9, at the Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney.

“High school hockey is still a big deal in Cape Breton,” said first-year Marauders head coach Terry Duff.

“At our first home game against Glace Bay, I turned around and saw the big crowd and was surprised to hear that there were more than 600 people in the stands.”

A recent Cape Breton High School Hockey League match between Glace Bay and Riverview attracted more than 1,500 fans to the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre.

Ryan Boutilier, coach of the Glace Bay Panthers, said the atmosphere at the Oct. 24 game that his team lost in overtime was fantastic.

“It was great, it was very much like, say, a Red Cup game,” said Boutilier.

“The crowd and community support that is in Cape Breton is second to none — people love going to the games.”

Redmen coach Darryl MacDonald agreed that the long-standing tradition of high school hockey is still alive and well in Cape Breton.

“The big part is the following from the fans. For example, the students from Riverview get so into the Red Cup — and it’s the same with Glace Bay, Sydney and Memorial because the students saw the atmosphere when they were little kids and want to continue that tradition”

In addition to the four local teams, the upcoming Green and Gold tournament will feature Mabou’s Dalbrae Academy Dragons, J.L. Isley Judges of Halifax, the Dartmouth High Spartans and the Sir John A. Macdonald Flames of Upper Tantallon.

The tournament kicks off Nov. 6 when defending champion Riverview takes on Glace Bay and will be followed by a match between Memorial and Sydney Academy, which captured the Green and Gold crown in 2012.

The hosts, Memorial, last reached the final in 2009 and last won their home event in 2008 following back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006.